This is a small portion of the Blue Stars, a drum and bugle corps sponsored by an international d. and b. organization. Our 15 year old grandson, Chris, is touring the U.S. this summer with them. They performed last night in Kingsport, TN about a 40 minute drive from our home.Chris had to audition along with over 1000 others in order to become a member of this group and only 150 were selected, so he is very musically advanced for his age. Average age is 19 and many of the other members are music majors in college.
The Corps musicians play the trumpet, mellophone, drums, tuba, and xylophone. There are an additional 30 members of a color guard troup. Chris, in addition to the mellophone, plays the trumpet, French Horn, and piano and he can read music as well as play by ear. He is a Sophomore in High School and is a member of the marching band, the school orchestra, and a jazz band. He is passionate about music and wants to major in it when he goes to college. You can imagine how proud of him we are.
He got to visit with us for about half an hour following the performance last night and the following photo shows Chris between us two proud grandparents.I snapped pictures of all the bands last night but video taped the Blue Stars program, so the only still photos I got was of their encore performance when they were in concert formation. He is one of the corps members on the far left, back row, of the photo, but with their helmets on it's hard to tell one from another. I haven't had a chance to check out the video yet, but will post it if it's good.
MimiRock at Castle Yonder
